A match between Jeff Hardy and Elias will take place at Hell in a Cell this Sunday.
During tonight’s episode of Raw Talk, Jeff Hardy accepted a challenge from Elias following a segment that took place earlier tonight on Raw.
Elias held a concert, playing a medley of songs that will be on his upcoming album due out on October 26. He left after finishing his set, but then came back for an encore.
It was at this point that a mystery guitar player began playing on his own. Elias demanded that the musician stop playing. The guitar player revealed himself to be Hardy, and attempted to attack Elias with the guitar. Elias ducked the attack and fled.
Later, in a backstage interview, Elias challenged Hardy to a match.
Matches already announced for Hell in a Cell include Roman Reigns vs. Jey Uso in a Falls Count Anywhere match inside Hell in a Cell for the WWE Universal title, Randy Orton vs. Drew McIntyre in a Hell in a Cell match for the WWE Championship, and Bayley vs. Sasha Banks in another Hell in a Cell match for the SmackDown Women’s title.
Two matches and a concert were announced for next week’s Raw.
Lana won a battle royal on tonight’s show to earn a title match against Raw Women’s champion Asuka next week. The finish had Natalya eliminate Lacey Evans to seemingly win the battle royal. However Lana, who earlier was put through a table but not eliminated, appeared and kicked Natalya to the floor to eliminate her, winning the match.
An angle earlier in the show broke up the team. Following a loss to the team of Dana Brooke & Mandy Rose, Natalya told Lana that “she couldn’t do this anymore.”
Keith Lee will face Braun Strowman in a sanctioned match. Since Strowman was not a part of the Raw brand, Adam Pearce made an exhibition match between Strowman and Lee on last week’s Raw that ended in a double count out. Strowman has since been drafted to Raw, setting up the match for next week.
Additionally, Elias will hold a concert. He made his return to the company on tonight’s show, attacking Jeff Hardy with a guitar. He blamed Hardy for the hit and run attack that took him out in May and declared he would be holding a concert on next week’s show.
Elias made his return tonight on Raw, attacking Jeff Hardy with a guitar.
Hardy, who was drafted to Raw tonight, took on AJ Styles and the departing Seth Rollins in a triple threat match. Towards the end of the match, Elias emerged from out of nowhere and attacked Hardy with his guitar. This allowed Styles to cover Hardy for the win.
Stephanie McMahon then announced in the following segment that Elias was drafted to Raw from SmackDown, where he last appeared.
Elias was last seen being stretchered into an ambulance following a hit and run angle that took place on the May 29 edition of SmackDown. In reality, it was a cover for a pectoral injury that would keep him out of action for months.
The storyline had Sheamus frame Jeff Hardy for the hit and run. This resulted in a feud that ended when Hardy defeated Sheamus in a bar room fight on SmackDown
It has been confirmed that the storyline injury to Elias is a real injury, putting him out of action.
Dave Meltzer has confirmed that Elias was written out of television last week due to a torn pectoral muscle. WWE.com noted that Elias had suffered broken ribs and a torn pectoral muscle as a result of the hit and run angle on SmackDown last week. The injury will put him out of action for months.
The angle that aired last week on SmackDown had Elias stretchered out of the WWE Performance Center parking lot after he was struck by a car that was registered to Jeff Hardy, who was later arrested and accused of hitting Elias.
Hardy appeared at the end of last week’s SmackDown, causing Sheamus to become distracted, losing to Daniel Bryan in the semifinals of the Intercontinental title tournament. Hardy explained on this week’s show that he passed all of the sobriety tests the police gave him, and a witness has since come forward saying they saw someone with red hair and a beard running out of the car, with Hardy noting that Sheamus fits that description.
Elias, who originally advanced to the semifinals of the tournament to face AJ Styles, was removed from the tournament, allowing AJ Styles to advance to the finals via a bye.
Styles and Daniel Bryan will face one another this Friday on SmackDown for the Intercontinental title.
A hit-and-run angle was the focus of last night’s SmackDown.
The show opened with the revelation that Elias had been hit by a car outside of the WWE Performance Center. The driver of the vehicle wasn’t around, but it was revealed to be Jeff Hardy’s rental car and a bottle of alcohol was found inside of it. A disoriented Hardy was then found and taken into police custody, while Elias was also removed from WWE’s Intercontinental title tournament due to being unable to compete.
Hardy vs. Daniel Bryan and Elias vs. AJ Styles were supposed to be the semifinals of the tournament. Styles advanced to the finals automatically, but Bryan said he wasn’t a coward and wanted to face a new opponent. Sheamus, who lost to Hardy in the first round, won a 10-man battle royal and went on to face Bryan in the main event.
Bryan defeated Sheamus in the semifinals, hitting him with a running knee after Hardy made his return at the end of the match. Hardy then attacked Sheamus until Sheamus fled.
WWE.com furthered the storyline by posting an update after SmackDown went off the air:
WWE Digital has learned Jeff Hardy was released from custody by the Orlando police after successfully passing the required sobriety tests, therefore absolving Hardy of the charges of public intoxication, driving under the influence, and the hit-and-run on Elias earlier tonight.
Elias was found injured in the parking lot with an abandoned car nearby before Friday Night SmackDown began. Hardy was taken into custody after being found in a dazed state not far from the scene, but he reemerged as Sheamus battled Daniel Bryan in the night’s final match.
Stay tuned to WWE social and digital channels for the latest updates on the developing situation.
Both semifinal matches in WWE’s Intercontinental title tournament are taking place on tonight’s episode of SmackDown.
Jeff Hardy vs. Daniel Bryan and AJ Styles vs. Elias are the first round matches for the tournament. Hardy and Styles advanced with wins on last week’s SmackDown, defeating Sheamus and Shinsuke Nakamura respectively. Bryan defeated Drew Gulak in the first round two weeks ago, while Elias defeated Baron Corbin.
Sami Zayn was Intercontinental Champion prior to the title being declared vacant earlier this month.
A Tag Team Champion Summit edition of A Moment of Bliss will air on tonight’s show. SmackDown Tag Team Champions The New Day will join Women’s Tag Team Champions Alexa Bliss & Nikki Cross for the segment.
Sonya Deville vs. Lacey Evans has also been announced for tonight. Last week, Deville & Dolph Ziggler defeated Mandy Rose & Otis in a mixed tag match. Deville vs. Evans was set up when they went back and forth on Twitter this week.
With NXT/Performance Center wrestlers serving as fans, tonight’s show will be the first SmackDown since March to have any sort of a crowd.
Our coverage begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time.
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SmackDown started outside of the WWE Performance Center. There was an apparent hit and run accident involving Elias. The police and ambulance were on the scene. Elias was on the ground, and EMTs put him on a stretcher.
Renee Young noted a witness saw a car crash and injure Elias. The witness also saw a person in black pants and a black shirt runoff. The smashed car was on the side of the parking lot on the curb. The cops checked the vehicle and found that it belongs to Jeff Hardy.
Kayla Braxton was with Universal Champion Braun Strowman outside. Strowman was also a witness to the crash. He saw the car crash, and somebody ran out.
The police, Jamie Knoble and Jason Jordan found Jeff Hardy passed out near the scene. He was wearing black pants and a black shirt. The cops noted Hardy smells like alcohol and asked him if he was drinking. The police then handcuffed Hardy and put him in the back of the squad car.
Young pointed out that Hardy appears intoxicated and is getting arrested. Young also said Elias is going to a local medical facility.
The segment was done well. The scene came across chaotic but did play on Hardy’s real-life issues.
Back from the break, Adam Pearce addressed the SmackDown roster. Pearce noted Elias is injured, and Jeff Hardy’s going to jail. Sheamus said he wasn’t surprised that Hardy got arrested again. Daniel Bryan told him to relax.
AJ Styles was happy and said he guesses he takes on Bryan in the finals. Bryan disagreed and noted maybe they should pick somebody to take on. Styles called Bryan stupid and told him to take the free ride. Styles noted he’s taking the bye and going straight to the finals.
Every one argued, and they all wanted a chance back in the tournament. King Corbin said he and Sheamus should face Bryan, and the winner takes on Styles. Dolph Ziggler was furious and pointed out he’s not Jack Tunney.
Pearce announced a battle royal next, and the winner takes on Daniel Bryan. The winner of that match takes on Styles in two weeks in the finals of the I.C. tournament.
Both segments featured a lot of talking, but it was a nice change from the typical opening segments in the ring.
Battle Royal: Sheamus Eliminated Jey Uso To Advance To The I.C. Title Semi-Final
Participants: Gran Metalik, King Corbin, Drew Gulak, Jey Uso, Lince Dorado, Cesaro, Shorty G, Sheamus, Dolph Ziggler, Shinsuke Nakamura
This was a good and fun battle royal. They gave Shorty G and Jey Uso a chance to shine in the match.
Cesaro pressed slammed Ziggler over the top rope, but he held on. Sheamus started yelling at Micahel Cole, and Shorty G almost eliminated him from behind. Corbin dumped Dorado on the apron, but he held on. Dorado attempted a springboard into the ring, but Corbin eliminated him.
Gulak tried to dump out Corbin from behind. Corbin fought back and eliminated Gulak.
Metalik hit a double springboard elbow on Corbin and Ziggler. He walked the middle ropes, but Ziggler rocked him with a superkick, and Corbin eliminated Metalik.
Ziggler tried to double-cross Corbin, but Corbin eliminated Ziggler instead. Corbin celebrated, but Uso rocked him with a superkick to eliminate Corbin.
Back from the break, Sheamus and Cesaro worked together against Shorty G. On the other side of the ring, Nakamura backed Uso in the corner.
Shorty G used an armbar in the ropes on Sheamus and followed up with a tornado DDT.
Uso made a comeback and hit a series of superkicks. Cesaro attempted to eliminate Shorty G, but he held on. Shorty G fought back and eliminated Cesaro.
The final four were Nakamura, Sheamus, Shorty G, and Uso.
Shorty G and Nakamura went back and forth. Shorty G recovered and eliminated Nakamura.
Nakamura tried to get back in the ring, and the referees tried to stop him. Cesaro then jumped back in and eliminated Shorty G.
The final two entrants were Uso and Sheamus. Uso missed a high cross body but hit a superkick and almost eliminated Sheamus. Sheamus held on and dragged Uso to the apron. Sheamus and Uso fought on the apron.
Uso attempted a superkick, but Sheamus caught the leg and pushed him into the ring post. Sheamus then hit the Brogue kick to eliminate Uso for the win.
Sheamus takes on Daniel Bryan in an I.C. title semi-final tournament match later tonight.
In the back, Sonya Deville promised to defeat Lacey Evans tonight. Evans appeared in the background and pushed Deville to the ground.
Shorty G argued with Shinsuke Nakamura and Cesaro in the back. Shorty G was furious that he had the opportunity taken away. Cesaro mocked Shorty G and challenged him to a match. Shorty G knocked Cesaro down and accepted the match.
Sonya Deville vs. Lacey Evans
They had a short and basic match. It was fine until the double count-out finish.
Deville and Evans went back and forth to start. Evans got down in the amateur wrestling position and let Deville apply a waist lock, but Evans broke free. Evans mentioned Mandy Rose and mocked Deville.
Deville was furious and rocked Evans with a straight right hand. Evans fought back and dropped Deville face-first. Evans tied up Deville in the ring apron and rocked her with forearms.
Deville broke free and took Evans down on the ground. They fought around ringside and were both counted out. Evans recovered and threw Deville ribs first into the announce table.
Evans demanded Deville get back in the ring. Deville grabbed the headset and noted she’d face Evans on her terms. Deville then walked off.
Another Forgotten Sons vignette aired. They’ll no longer turn the other cheek, and their blood is on your hands. Now it’s time for your blood to be on their hands.
Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross were speaking in the back when The New Day surprised them. They linked arms and made their way to the ring.
A Moment Of Bliss With SmackDown Tag Team Champions The New Day
This was a fine segment. There wasn’t much to it, and it was more about setting up Alexa Bliss versus Sasha Banks. Bliss and Nikki Cross wasted no time and introduced their guests The New Day. Cross gave The New Day pancakes, and they gave Bliss and Cross coffee beans.
Bliss and Cross asked about the New Day’s possible challengers. They said they’ve noticed The Forgotten Sons making a name for themselves. The New Day asked Bliss and Cross about The IIconics and other challengers.
SmackDown Woman’s Champion Bayley and Sasha Banks made their way to the ring. Banks threw her jacket at Bliss, but Cross held Bliss back. Bliss pointed out there are five champions and asked about Banks not having a belt. The New Day thought that was hilarious.
Banks noted they put the women’s tag team belts on the map and promised to win them back. Bayley then said that Banks is going to prove that they’re the best tag team by taking on Bliss.
Banks wasn’t ready to compete, so Bayley ran to the back to get her shoes. Bliss then dropkicked Banks out of the ring.
Sasha Banks defeated Alexa Bliss
This was a decent match that continued to tease problems between Banks and Bayley. However, the commentary distracted from the action in the ring a bit.
Bayley and Nikki Cross joined Michael Cole and Corey Graves on commentary. Cross was going crazy on commentary, and Bayley was getting annoyed. Bayley threatened to hit Cole, but Cross promised to protect him. Cross cheered on Bliss, and Cole joined in on the cheering.
Banks paid tribute to Hana Kimura by wearing a black Hana armband.
Banks had the early advantage, but Bliss took over. Bliss hit the double knees for a near fall. Banks regained control and hit the Meteora for a close near fall.
Banks backed Bliss in the corner, but Bliss fought back. Bliss dropped Banks face-first on the mat. Bliss climbed to the top, but Bayley and Cross jumped on the apron. Bayley pushed Cross into Bliss and knocked her off the apron.
Banks then hit a springboard into the ring and rolled up Bliss into a sunset flip for the win.
Shorty G defeated Cesaro (w/Shinsuke Nakamura)
This was a good match while it lasted, and it was just starting to pick up momentum when it ended.
Shorty G hit a running dropkick and jumped Cesaro at the bell. Shorty G hit a moonsault for a near fall. He followed up by attacking Cesaro’s leg.
Cesaro recovered and rocked Shorty G with a vicious clothesline.
Cesaro was firmly in control and hit a gut-wrench suplex for a near fall. Shorty G recovered and went back to the leg. Cesaro caught Shorty G and hit a huge powerbomb for a close near fall.
Cesaro attempted a back suplex off the top, but Shorty G landed on his feet and applied the ankle lock. Cesaro fought back and rocked Shorty G with a hard uppercut.
Cesaro attempted several pinfall attempts but couldn’t put Shorty G away. Cesaro attempted a powerbomb, but Shorty G rolled through for the win.
Earlier today, Otis, Mandy Rose, and the Money In The Bank briefcase hung out by the pool. They had some champagne, and Rose took a nap. Otis decided to jump into the pool. Rose then had a dream.
In the dream, Otis got out of the pool and walked towards Rose. He ripped off his shirt, and they kissed. Rose was having a hot and steamy dream until Otis did a cannonball in the pool.
This was a parody of the famous pool scene from Fast Times At Ridgemont High. Rose and Otis then had an intense makeout session in the pool.
In the back, Kurt Angle talked about his past but said this is about the future. He’s here to introduce the next face of SmackDown. Angle noted he had the honor of officiating his last match in NXT.
They showed a Matt Riddle video package.
In the back, Kayla Braxton noted they’re excited about Matt Riddle’s upcoming debut. Sheamus interrupted and said first they made a big deal out of Jeff Hardy, and now it’s Riddle.
Sheamus promised to defeat Daniel Bryan later. Bryan and Sheamus went face-to-face. Bryan kicked Sheamus in the shin and walked off laughing.
They recapped Universal Champion Braun Strowman feuding with The Miz & John Morrison.
Intercontinental Championship Tournament Semi-final: Daniel Bryan defeated Sheamus
This was a good match, although it did drag at times. Sheamus had the early advantage with a side headlock. Bryan fought back and nailed Sheamus with a series of kicks in the corner. Sheamus recovered and rocked Bryan with a hard clothesline.
Sheamus slowed the pace down with a chin lock. Bryan fought out and hit a running clothesline. Bryan then dumped Sheamus to the floor and followed up with a suicide dive.
Back from the break, Bryan was in control and worked over the arm. Sheamus broke free and backed Bryan in the corner. He then followed up with a series of elbows. Sheamus rocked Bryan with a knee, which sent him to the floor.
Sheamus then tossed Bryan into the barricade. Sheamus then demanded that Michael Cole start a Yes Chant, which he reluctantly did. Sheamus hit a clothesline off the top for a close near fall.
Bryan tried fighting back, but Sheamus hit the Irish Curse backbreaker. Sheamus followed up with the Texas Cloverleaf, but Bryan made it to the ropes to break the hold.
Bryan climbed to the top turnbuckle, but Sheamus cut him off. Sheamus attempted a superplex, but Bryan knocked Sheamus off. Bryan followed up with a missile dropkick. Bryan hit a series of Yes kicks, but Sheamus tried the Irish Curse backbreaker. Bryan held on and rolled up Sheamus for a near fall.
Sheamus hit White Noise for a close near fall. Sheamus set up for the Brogue Kick, but Jeff Hardy walked down to ringside. Sheamus yelled at Hardy. Bryan then hit the running knee on Sheamus for the win.
After the match, Hardy jumped Sheamus, but Sheamus ran off. Michael Cole and Corey Graves noted they last time they saw Hardy; he was getting arrested.
Bryan advances to the I.C. title finals and takes on AJ Styles.
Next Week: The Miz & John Morrison have a warning for Universal Champion Braun Strowman. Also, Women’s Tag Team Champions Alexa Bliss & Nikki Cross defends against Bayley & Sasha Banks.
Both semifinal matches in WWE’s Intercontinental title tournament are airing on next week’s episode of SmackDown.
It will be Daniel Bryan vs. Jeff Hardy and AJ Styles vs. Elias in the semifinals of the tournament on SmackDown next Friday. Hardy defeated Sheamus and Styles defeated Shinsuke Nakamura in first round matches on tonight’s SmackDown.
The story for Hardy vs. Sheamus was that Sheamus dominated throughout but was pinned by Hardy at the end of the match. Styles pinned Nakamura in their match after hitting a Phenomenal Forearm.
It was also announced tonight that Styles is now on the SmackDown roster after being traded for “future considerations.”
Bryan advanced to the semifinals of the Intercontinental title tournament by defeating Drew Gulak on SmackDown last week, while Elias advanced to the semifinals by defeating Baron Corbin.
Sami Zayn was Intercontinental Champion prior to the title being declared vacant. He hasn’t appeared on WWE television since retaining the title against Bryan at WrestleMania 36. On Twitter, Zayn has been pushing that he’s still the rightful champion.
After the title was declared vacant, WWE’s tournament to crown a new Intercontinental Champion kicked off on last night’s SmackDown.
Two first round matches took place on last night’s show. One featured two partners facing off, while the other continued a feud. Daniel Bryan submitted Drew Gulak to move on to the semifinals. On the other side of the bracket, Elias moved on to the semifinals by defeating Baron Corbin.
Jeff Hardy vs. Sheamus and AJ Styles vs. Shinsuke Nakamura are the remaining first round matches. Both will air on next week’s SmackDown. The winner of Hardy vs. Sheamus will advance to face Bryan in the semifinals. The winner of Styles vs. Nakamura will face Elias.
In last night’s main event, men’s Money in the Bank winner Otis teamed with Universal Champion Braun Strowman to face The Miz & John Morrison. Otis needing to find a partner for the match was set up during his appearance on Miz TV earlier in the night.
After Otis & Strowman won, Otis teased cashing in his Money in the Bank briefcase but then said he was only joking when Strowman caught him.
NXT Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair was on last night’s SmackDown as part of the brand-to-brand invitation. She accepted a challenge from Bayley for a non-title champion vs. champion match next week. Charlotte also tried to create dissension between Bayley and Sasha Banks by asking if Banks was her own woman or happy being Bayley’s lackey and an afterthought.
On opposite sides of the bracket, Daniel Bryan and Elias have advanced to the semifinals of WWE’s Intercontinental title tournament.
The tournament kicked off with Bryan defeating Drew Gulak and Elias defeating Baron Corbin on SmackDown tonight. Bryan vs. Gulak was a matchup of partners, while Elias and Corbin are rivals.
After Corbin destroyed Elias’ guitar on the outside, Elias hit a jumping knee strike in the ring and rolled him up to advance to the semifinals. Bryan vs. Gulak aired later in the show, with Bryan winning by submission with a heel hook.
Bryan did an interview after his win and cut a promo about how he had to relinquish the Intercontinental title when he retired in 2015. Bryan said he’s never gotten another shot at the title, and he’s always wanted to make the Intercontinental title the championship of SmackDown and defend it every single week. Bryan said he wants the title to represent the absolute greatest wrestler in WWE.
Bryan and Gulak then shook hands and hugged after their match.
The first round of the Intercontinental title tournament will conclude with Jeff Hardy vs. Sheamus and AJ Styles vs. Shinsuke Nakamura taking place on SmackDown next Friday. Bryan will face either Hardy or Sheamus in the semifinals. Elias will face either Styles or Nakamura.
Sami Zayn was the Intercontinental Champion prior to the title being declared vacant this week. He hasn’t appeared on WWE television since his title defense against Bryan at WrestleMania 36.
The bracket for WWE’s tournament to crown a new Intercontinental Champion has now been revealed.
It’s an eight-man, single-elimination tournament. The left side of the bracket has Daniel Bryan vs. Drew Gulak and Jeff Hardy vs. Sheamus as its first round matches, while Elias vs. Baron Corbin and AJ Styles vs. Shinsuke Nakamura are the first round matches on the right side of the bracket.
Styles is taking part in the tournament despite being a Raw wrestler. When the bracket was announced on SmackDown tonight, it was said that Styles was going after one of the only titles that he hasn’t won in WWE.
The brand-to-brand invitation was announced on Raw this week, allowing for a limited amount of crossover between the Raw and SmackDown brands.
It was first announced on WWE Backstage this week that the Intercontinental title has been declared vacant. Sami Zayn was the Intercontinental Champion prior to that announcement. Zayn hasn’t appeared on WWE television since he retained the Intercontinental title against Bryan at WrestleMania 36.
Meltzer said the plan is believed to be for Cena to wrestle Elias, a decision he called “underwhelming.” Cena interrupted Elias’ “concert” at last year’s WrestleMania in his Doctor of Thuganomics character and gave Elias the Attitude Adjustment/F.U. The two also had a confrontation at WrestleMania 34 before Cena lost to the Undertaker in a quick and surprise match.
On last week’s WWE Backstage, Cena was announced as returning to WWE TV on the Friday, February 28th edition of SmackDown from Boston, MA. Meltzer said the angle for his Mania return will likely kick off on that show.
The 42-year-old Cena hasn’t competed in a WWE ring since January 2019 when he was in a triple threat match with Finn Balor and Drew McIntyre. He last appeared on WWE TV last July in a SmackDown rap battle segment with the Usos.
Last week, Meltzer confirmed that the Undertaker vs. AJ Styles is also planned for the WWE’s biggest show of the year. He added on last night’s show that Goldberg is not in the plans for Mania.
Other matches that have been announced or planned to be announced for April 5th include WWE Champion Brock Lesnar vs. McIntyre, WWE Universal Champion Bray Wyatt vs. Roman Reigns, Edge vs. Randy Orton, NXT Champion Rhea Ripley vs. Charlotte Flair.
Elias will be staying with the WWE for many years to come.
It was announced tonight on WWE Backstage that Elias has re-signed with the company. Ryan Satin reported in his Satin Sheet segment that Elias has been re-signed to a multi-year contract.
Elias has been with the company since 2014. He worked as an enhancement talent on the NXT brand for a year until adapting a drifter persona, including playing a guitar. In April of 2017, he made his debut on the main roster. The drifter aspect of his character was later dropped.
After suffering an ankle injury back in September, Elias returned to SmackDown in November as a babyface and has been a regular on television since. On last week’s SmackDown, he came out and sang a song about the Royal Rumble, eventually saying that he will be a part of the Royal Rumble match on January 26.
In addition to Roman Reigns vs. Dolph Ziggler airing, there were a couple of 24/7 title changes on FOX’s New Year’s Eve special.
R-Truth, Mojo Rawley, and Elias appeared in Times Square for “FOX’s New Year’s Eve with Steve Harvey.” The segment saw Rawley initially pin R-Truth to win the 24/7 title. Rawley insulted Elias for his musical performance, Elias hit him with a guitar, and R-Truth pinned Elias to win the title back.
Maria Menounos, who was the co-host of the New Year’s Eve special, counted the pins for the title changes.
The Reigns vs. Ziggler match that aired last night was taped after last Friday’s SmackDown at the Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan. Menounos also appeared as the special guest ring announcer.
Reigns pinned Ziggler after hitting a spear. He then closed out 2019 by wishing the fans a happy new year and thanking them for all of the support and blessings they’ve given him:
The post-Survivor Series episode of SmackDown saw three wrestlers return to WWE television.
– After nearly eight months away, Sheamus made his return in a backstage segment. He cut a heel promo where he called the current state of SmackDown pathetic. He specifically mentioned The Fiend, King Corbin, and Shorty G. Sheamus ended the promo by saying “SmackDown will be mine.”
Dave Meltzer reported in September that Sheamus was ready to return: “He’s been off and has spinal stenosis, which is not a good thing long-term for a wrestler. But he is ready to return and if a storyline is there, he would be brought back.”
– Alexa Bliss returned to SmackDown after Nikki Cross’ match against Sonya Deville tonight. She saved Cross from a post-match attack by Deville and Mandy Rose.
Bliss had been out of action since October’s Hell in a Cell pay-per-view. WWE noted earlier this month that Bliss had a minor injury but was expected to return soon.
Bliss & Cross will be in a fatal four-way match for the Women’s Tag Team titles at WWE Starrcade on Sunday night. The match will air on the one-hour live Starrcade special on the WWE Network, with Asuka & Kairi Sane defending their titles against Bliss & Cross, Becky Lynch & Charlotte Flair, and Sasha Banks & Bayley.
– Elias also appeared in a backstage segment with Dana Brooke and Drake Maverick on SmackDown tonight. It was the first time Elias has appeared on WWE TV since he was pulled from his King of the Ring tournament semifinal match against Chad Gable n September due to an ankle injury.
Elias told Brooke and Maverick that he had been on a journey outwards and inwards since he’s been out of action and then sang a song mocking Maverick.
Elias won’t be wrestling in the King of the Ring semifinals on tonight’s SmackDown at Madison Square Garden.
WWE.com announced this afternoon: “Due to an injury, Elias will not compete in his scheduled King of the Ring semifinal match against Chad Gable. Stay with WWE Digital platforms and watch SmackDown LIVE tonight on USA Network at 8/7 c for further updates as the situation develops.”
Dave Meltzer notes that it’s an ankle injury that Elias suffered.
Elias was scheduled to face Chad Gable in the semifinals tonight. Elias defeated Kevin Owens and Ali in the first two rounds of the tournament, while Gable defeated Shelton Benjamin and Andrade.
Baron Corbin advanced to the King of the Ring finals by defeating Samoa Joe and Ricochet in a triple threat match on last night’s Raw. The finals are scheduled to take place at Clash of Champions this Sunday. The Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina is hosting the pay-per-view.
